The Ovulation Method is particularly suitable for the woman who is breast-feeding because it enables her to recognize natural periods of infertility. After the birth of the baby there is a natural period of infertility. This can be prolonged for months or even years if a mother breast-feeds her baby. It is nature's way to space babies and help the mother care for her little infant without the stress of another pregnancy. However, a mother must be aware of what it means to be totally breast-feeding: The baby depends entirely on the breast for nutrition and liquids, is allowed to suckle frequently and on demand, and uses the breast as a pacifier.
Suckling stimulates the production of a hormone (prolactin) that suppresses ovulation, thus, delaying the woman's return to fertility. Suckling frequently, on demand, and using the breast as a pacifier or comforter usually delays the onset of ovulation. Once the need for milk diminishes, as when supplemental food is added or the baby is weaned, this hormone is decreased and the woman returns to fertility.
By careful observation, a woman can learn to recognize the Basic Infertile Pattern (B.I.P.) which occurs while she is breast-feeding. The B.I.P. is a time of infertility which manifests itself in the woman by either a sensation of dryness or by an unchanging discharge present at the vulva. Any change from the B.I.P. is the indication that the return of fertility is approaching.
A woman begins charting after birth when blood loss (lochia) begins to stop, usually around three weeks. Abstinence is recommended until the B.I.P. is established and confirmed, then the Early Day Rules are applied to postpone pregnancy. These rules are designed to enable the woman to recognize the return of fertility, the beginning of the fertile phase and the identification of the Peak.
THE EARLY DAY RULES:
Sexual relations are:
Open to the couple on the evening of every other dry day.
Open to the couple on the evening of every other day of unchanging discharge, after having observed the unchanging discharge for two consecutive weeks.
Avoided when a change from the Basic Infertile Pattern (B.I.P.) occurs, such as a change in sensation, in appearance of the discharge, a change in the amount of the discharge or spotting or bleeding appears.
Avoided on the day or days of change, until the B.I.P. has returned for three consecutive days. Sexual relations are open to the couple in the evening of the 4th day.
CHANGES FROM THE B.I.P.
It is important to understand that weaning triggers hormonal changes which begin the return of fertility. Frequent patches of mucus can occur at this time. Abstinence for a few weeks may be helpful to the woman until she identifies the Peak. A breast-feeding woman who is carefully observing her mucus will be warned of the return of fertility well in advance.
The return of fertility may be prompted by a reduced number of feeds as the baby is given additional foods or other fluids. Fertility may also closely follow any ill health the mother or child experiences which causes a decrease in breast-feeding. If weaning is gradual, there may be several patches of mucus before ovulation occurs.
Sometimes a slippery sensation, without any obvious stretchy mucus, is the only sign of fertility, due to the "damping down" effect of the hormones of lactation.
Thus, the first ovulation may not be preceded by abundant, clear, stretchy mucus, but only a wet and/or slippery sensation.
There is a good chance that ovulation will occur before you observe any bleeding. That is why it is important to observe several times a day and make note of the changes in the baby's behavior and diet.
These rules apply throughout the time you are nursing and until you have had three normal cycles after weaning is completed. It is important to remember that the first episodes of bleeding may not be true menstrual bleeding, so you must count until the 4th dry evening before sexual relations can be resumed.
